CONWAY, Ark. - Hendrix erased a 14-point, third-quarter deficit with less than two minutes to play Saturday, but a Helena Roe 3-pointer with 38 seconds on the clock propelled Millsaps (Miss.) to a 69-66 win inside Grove Gymnasium in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) opener for both teams. The Warriors lost their first season opener since Nov. 16, 2013, and dropped to 6-2 in such contests under Drew Gaeng.

Down 57-43 with 10 minutes to play, Hendrix (0-1, 0-1 SAA) opened the final stanza on an 8-0 run in the span of 3:22, as the Warriors shot 4-of-8 from distance and outscored Millsaps (2-0, 1-0 SAA) 23-12 in the period. Rachel Woppman and Kennedi Burns each nailed a trey during the 8-0 spurt. Anissa Gutierrez later scored the last five points of a 7-0 Hendrix run before Cassidy Salyer's third made 3-pointer of the night, coming with 1:17 to play, gave the Orange and Black a 63-62 edge.



However, the Majors countered by scoring the next four points to retake the upper hand for good. Anna Thigpen converted the second of two free throws which was followed by a Roe steal and bucket from deep.

Burns connected on both attempts of a double bonus 19 seconds later to trim the deficit to 66-65, but after Mikenzi Laster made the second of two free throws, a game-tying layup attempt by the Warriors rimmed in and out with 5.3 seconds to play. Millsaps' Taelor Manning, who ended 12-of-12 from the charity stripe, converted both attempts of a double bonus to ice the game.

Despite being limited to just 2-of-12 from the field in the final 10 minutes, the Majors went 6-of-8 from the free throw line.

Manning (25) and Roe (23) combined for 48 points on 42.9 percent (15-of-35) shooting. Manning also had seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals but committed seven of her team's 19 turnovers. Roe was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.

The Majors shot 38.6 percent (22-of-57) overall, 50 percent (6-of-12) from 3-point land and 19-of-26 from the charity stripe, including 9-of-12 in the second quarter to lead 36-29 at intermission.

Burns (14), Woppman (12) and Kessie Jenkins (10) each scored in double figures. Burns led Hendrix in scoring in her first collegiate game and start. Woppman tied a career-high in points and was perfect (5-of-5) from the floor overall and 3-point range (2-of-2) to go along with a game-high nine rebounds, the second highest total in her career.

Salyer and Isis Woods netted nine points apiece. Salyer was 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

Gutierrez dished out four assists.

Four freshmen - Burns, Woods, Alicia McCloria and Kelsey Korb - made an appearance in their first collegiate contest.

Hendrix shot 35.7 percent (20-of-56) overall, 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from deep and 18-of-28 from the line.

The Warriors controlled the boards, 42-32, and held an edge on the offensive glass, 16-9, leading to 15 second chance points. Hendrix's bench scored 22 points, compared to just 11 by Millsaps.

Attendance was limited to only current Hendrix students due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Limited capacity is set to continue for all Warriors' home games in January.

Hendrix hosts Millsaps a second time Sunday inside Grove Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. CT.